Agenda for Culture, Tourism & Enterprise Overview & Scrutiny Committee on Thursday, 29th September, 2011, 4.00pm
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Agenda and minutes
PDF 195 KBVenue: Council Chamber, Hove Town Hall. View directions
Contact: Julia Riches, Scrutiny Support Officer
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Minutes: 13.1 Declarations of Substitutes
There were none. Councillor Ania Kitcat sent her apologies.
13.2 Declarations of Interests
Councillor Mo Marsh declared an interest as a Board Member of the Brighton Dome and Festival.
13.3 Declaration of Party Whip
There was none.
13.4 Exclusion of Press and Public
In accordance with section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, it was considered whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of any items contained in the agenda, having regard to the nature of the business to be transacted and the nature of the proceedings and the likelihood as to whether, if members of the press and public were present, there would be disclosure to them of confidential or exempt information as defined in section 100I (1) of the said Act.
RESOLVED: That the press and public are not excluded from the meeting.
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MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING Draft minutes from 30 June 2011. Minutes: 14.2 Paula Murray, Commissioner for Culture updated the Committee on the Residents’ Card. A group of Officers were looking at the idea, particularly the financial implications. A ‘low tech’ version that was targeted at less affluent young people was underway.
14.3 The minutes from the 30 June 2011 were agreed.
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CHAIR'S COMMUNICATIONS Minutes: 15.1 The Chair welcomed everyone, particularly Andrew Comben, Chief Executive of Brighton Dome and Festival and the Cabinet Members, Councillor Amy Kennedy and Councillor Geoffrey Bowden, to the meeting.
15.2 The Chair informed the Committee that since there had been a late report, agenda Item 24A, she was re-ordering the Agenda to allow Item 24A to be taken after Item 20 as both referred to setting up scrutiny panels.
15.3 The Chair informed the Committee of a number of recent and forthcoming events.
15.4 Brighton & Hove City Council had funded the Brighton & Hove Chamber of Commerce to produce an online guide to local business support provision called the Business Support Finder. The website would be officially launched in October and would act as a one-stop-shop for new and existing businesses to find the assistance they needed.
15.5 September saw the first Brighton Digital Festival which was extremely successful with over 70 events.
15.6 Following the disappointing news that the Brighton and Hove Arts Commission was unsuccessful in its bid for funding to the Arts Council for White Night, organisers had managed to keep the festival on track by pulling in favours and last minute supporters. White Night would be held on Saturday October 292011.
15.7 Portslade Aldridge Community Academy (PACA) had now signed the lease for Foredown Tower and had taken possession of the building. It will be used for several things including Adult community courses (eg ICT), and providing a community enterprise base for projects undertaken by 11-18 students from PACA.
15.8 The Royal Pavilion’s year-long fashion exhibition Dress for Excess had been awarded the Sussex Fashion Outstanding Achievement Award 2011. It was awarded the accolade at the First Sussex Fashion Awards held at the Royal York Hotel in Brighton on 16 September 2011. It runs until 5 February 2012.
15.9 The Sports Development Team organised another successful programme of Summer Fun Sports Courses. A total of 895 young people took part in 67 courses that were offered over the summer holidays.
15.10 City Reads was Brighton & Hove's annual big read – when everyone was encouraged to read the same book and take part in one of the many linked events. This year’s title was The Long Song by Andrea Levy.
15.11 Whitehawk’s marvellous new library was officially opened on Monday 19 September. |
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PUBLIC QUESTIONS No public questions have been received.
Minutes: 16.1 There were none. |
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WRITTEN QUESTIONS AND LETTERS FROM COUNCILLORS No written questions or letters have been received. Minutes: 17.1 There were none. |
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PRESENTATION ON THE BRIGHTON DOME AND FESTIVAL Verbal update/presentation from Andrew Comben, Chief Executive, Brighton Dome and Festival Ltd. Minutes: 18.1 The Chair introduced Andrew Comben, Chief Executive, Brighton Dome and Festival. Mr Comben gave a presentation to the Committee on the recent highly successful Festival. The Guest Director was Aung San Suu Kyi who accepted the Freedom of the City during a visit by Mr Comben to Burma. The residents of Brighton & Hove had embraced the themes of freedom, human rights and democracy that ran through the Festival.
18.2 Mr Comben highlighted some of the events of the Festival. There had been a huge range of visual arts including the installation in the old fruit and vegetable market which was collaboration between Lighthouse and the University of Brighton. 38,500 people listened to the installation in Fabrica and 95,000 attended the outdoors events. In St Anne’s Wells Gardens, 12,000 people attended over 2 nights to see the fire installation. In Queen’s Park, lotus flowers representing political prisoners had been made and people recited lines from the Declaration of Human Rights.
18.3 There were a total of 142 events, attended by 153,000 people involving 10 premises and 30 free events.
18.4 There had been enormous press interest and the 60% rise in press interest since 2008 continued this year. This year’s Festival showed that it was a festival of ideas as much as a festival of entertainment. The highlights for next year will be released in October 2011.
18.5 In response to a question about the knock-on effect on arts in the city, Mr Comben told the Committee that it was a very important part of cross-fertilisation of ideas. Resident audiences had been interested in developing work and had been shown work in progress prior to the Festival. The issue of the work of focus groups was raised and Mr Comben offered to share that information with any member: it was too detailed for the current meeting. It did show that the mix of events this year was good. They had the highest ticket sales ever at £800,000.
18.6 Following a question on music venues and the Dome, Mr Comben said that a new music producer had been appointed to work on the programme for the Dome. The Dome had lost out in the past as it was not as big as some promoters wanted. Mr Comben ended by confirming that the funding for the Children’s Parade was secure as it was fully funded by the Festival.
18.7 The Committee praised Mr Comben for a fantastic Festival and thanked him for his time in attending the meeting. |
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CABINET MEMBERS - CLLR KENNEDY AND CLLR BOWDEN To discuss their vision for their services and the key challenges they face. Minutes: 19.1 The Chair welcomed the Cabinet Members to the meeting to outline their portfolios and the challenges in their areas.
19.2 Councillor Amy Kennedy, Cabinet Member for Planning, Employment, Economy, and Regeneration explained why the portfolios had been reorganised and her portfolio now included planning.
19.3 The City Employment and Skills (CESP) steering group had been looking at training and apprenticeships for young people. The current employment level in the city was 71% and the city needed 6,000 new jobs to retain this percentage. The revised CESP would be launched on 4 October 2011 at the Economic Partnership meeting.
19.4 A review of the Economic Strategy was starting with partners. It was encouraging to see the progress in environmental industries in the city. Talks were underway with EON about plans for wind farms and the potential for new jobs and new skills.
19.5 The difficult financial climate had led to many major projects stalling. A review would be undertaken in the next few months and there was a role for scrutiny in this. The review would look at what was needed for the city and what could be done on the land available.
19.6 In answer to questions, Councillor Kennedy confirmed that there was increasing partnership working across the region. The Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) had facilitated closer working with other local authorities. Cheryl Finella, Economic Development Manager, explained that the 71% employment figure was below the south east region figure but it was part of a benchmarking exercise. The 6,000 new jobs related to current population projections: these jobs were needed by 2014 just to stay at the same level of employment.
19.7 Councillor Geoffrey Bowden, Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation & Tourism explained that the economic situation presented the major challenge to the Administration’s commitment to the city’s cultural offer. The Festival was regarded as the ‘jewel in the crown’ and partnership was crucial to delivering culture in the city. He highlighted a project being undertaken by the University of Brighton and Wired Sussex called ‘Fusion’. The digital sector was playing an increasingly important role in cultural activities and employing significant numbers. He was keen to make culture more accessible to all.
19.8 Changes to Arts Council funding had presented challenges to this year’s White Night festival. The Pavilion was performing very well in terms of visitor numbers and provided income which could then help to support the rest of the portfolio. The city’s cultural offer was essential to tourism, a sector which contributed more than £730m of economic activity. The range of attractions on offer to tourists had made it one of the country’s top destination choices.
19.9 Recent sport-focussed successes include the triathlon and the programme of activities for children in the summer holiday and he reminded the Committee that he had given the go-ahead for a triathlon and night/day London to Brighton cycle ride. The city was working to become a premier eco-tourist attraction and use the opportunities arising from the creation of the National Park. An increasing number of hotels were improving their green credentials, including Jurys Inn.
19.10 Improvements had been made to the Brighton Centre, which was at 68% capacity and making an important contribution to the city’s economy. The challenge was to determine what arrangements to make for this site in the longer term.
19.11 The library facilities in the city were praised and their role as ‘community hubs’, was to include enabling access to council services.
19.12 In answers to questions, Councillor Bowden emphasised the range of music venues which were available in the city and praised recent initiatives to improve library services. He confirmed that a balance was being struck between making the best use of assets, such as the Pavilion, and protecting them from undue wear and tear.
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AD HOC PANEL ON ACCESS TO CULTURAL SERVICES FOR OLDER PEOPLE Minutes: 20.1 Paula Murray, Commissioner for Culture, introduced this scoping report which had been produced in response to Councillor Farrow’s request to scrutinise this issue. While the availability and accessibility of cultural activities was good in relation to older people, this panel could focus on areas for improvement. The Committee highlighted that according to Age UK, older people were those over 55, and asked for the panel to: consider all forms of culture, make better use of less popular venues and attract residents from outer parts of the city.
RESOLVED: the Committee agreed to establish this Ad Hoc Scrutiny Panel and co-opt a Member from the Older People’s Council.
24.(A) The Committee then considered the report on the Support for the Retail Sector, in order to determine which panel to carry out and how to prioritise them. This report was introduced by Tom Hook, Head of Scrutiny, who explained that this request to establish a panel followed a ‘Streets Ahead event’ and was supported by the Leader of the Council. Cheryl Finella, Economic Development Manager, felt that this panel could develop a collective way of helping the city’s retail sector respond to seasonal pressures. Tom Hook confirmed that both panels could be completed by May 2012.
RESOLVED: the Committee agreed to establish this Scrutiny Panel and carry it out as a priority before the panel agreed at 20.1.
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UPDATE ON ENVIRONMENTAL INDUSTRIES Minutes: THIS ITEM WAS TAKEN BEFORE ITEM 22.
21.1 Cheryl Finella, Economic Development Manager, introduced the report which described the work of their new team member to support this sector. The city’s environmental industries had 3 key strengths; waste management, numbers of consultants and technical support. A survey had identified that the key issue for the sector was how to secure more premises and move on space. She highlighted some key achievements including; working with learning providers to prepare for job opportunities, business engagement and the submitted bid for Interreg funding. In response to questions from the Committee, Cheryl Finella agreed to provide a progress update on working with Eastbourne on Solar Panels.
RESOLVED: The report was noted and agreed to receive a further update in 12 month’s time. |
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BRIGHTON & HOVE'S PROGRAMME - 2012
Additional documents: Minutes: 22.1 Paula Murray, Commissioner for Culture, gave a presentation on the city’s programme for 2012 (please see minute book for a copy of the presentation). With one year to go, it was clear that interest and enthusiasm was growing. The challenge was to take advantage of the global interest and maximise the positive social (e.g. engaging residents) and economic (e.g. tourism) effects it could have on the city.
22.2 Highlights for 2011 would include the 5 Rings Walks Challenge, the upcoming White Night and Oska Bright Film Festival. Events in 2012 would include participation in the Boat project and being one of the 70 locations for the Torch Relay. The bearers of the torch would be announced next month. The torch would arrive on Monday 16th July in convoy from Portsmouth, and the aim would be to maximise the opportunities in the preceding weekend. Sponsorship opportunities would be offered to local businesses, and a marketing campaign was being run, including extra work from VisitBrighton.
22.3 In answer to questions from the Committee, David Murray, Commissioner, Place, confirmed that activities would be taking place in the city to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Paula Murray noted that some events for the January in the 2012 calendar were still to be confirmed.
RESOLVED: that the Committee notes the contents of the report, in particular the plans already in place, and supports an approach to increase the potential level of activity and benefits for the city.
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WITHDEAN SPORTS COMPLEX MASTERPLAN Additional documents: Minutes: 23.1 Ian Shurrock, Commissioner, Sport and Leisure introduced the report. The Withdean Sports Complex was a large site and a key venue. This report had been brought to the Committee to get some early feedback on Members’ views on the future of the stadium. Following a question, Toby Kingsbury, Sports Facilities Manager, explained that the athletics track had not been replaced because of the possibility that Whitehawk Football Club might be using the stadium. The best time of year to replace it would be early spring or autumn and that would have prevented Whitehawk FC using it. David Murray, Commissioner, Communities told the Committee that Officers were very keen to seek members views in order to proceed with the development of the Masterplan, which was part of the citywide Sports Facilities Plan.
23.2 Committee members stated that they were of the opinion that the Withdean Sports Stadium should first and foremost be an athletics stadium. Concern was also expressed over the delay in replacing the track.
23.3 David Murray explained that an ‘enabling’ development meant that if something was done on one site, investment could also be made elsewhere. There were a range of sites that needed work so officers were looking at how to enhance sites in other parts of the city. A question was asked whether there was a mini Olympic games planned. The issue of car parking was discussed and the placing of the car parks was part of the overall consideration of the site.
RESOLVED: that the report be noted and that Members feedback any views they have to the relevant Officers. |
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Additional documents: Minutes: 24.1 The Work programme was agreed. It was also agreed that Members would be contacted with new dates for both the Libraries Workshop and the Seafront Workshop. |
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ITEMS TO GO FORWARD TO CABINET OR THE RELEVANT CABINET MEMBER MEETING To consider items to be submitted to the next available Cabinet or Cabinet Member. Minutes: 25. 1 There were none. |
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ITEMS TO GO FORWARD TO COUNCIL Minutes: 26.1 There were none. |